Bismillahi Al-Rahmani Al-Rahim

Habitually Omitting Sunnah Prayers

Q
Is there any consequence if someone habitually omits the sunnah prayers that are associated with obligatory prayers?

A
Al-salamu `alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu

Yes, there are consequences if someone habitually omits the sunnah payers associated with the obligatory prayers, the rawatib. In order for a Muslim to be considered upright [`adl], he must fulfill to conditions:

1. Being upright with respect to religion, which is a combination of

1. performing the five obligatory prayers with their associated sunnahs

2. avoiding the unlawful, which is avoiding enormities [kaba'ir] and not persisting in a lesser sin [saghirah]

2. Exhibiting good character [muru'ah], which is doing the things which are typically considered to improve and polish one's character, and avoid avoiding things which are typically considered ugly and shameful.

Someone who fails to do both (1a) and (1b) is considered morally corrupt [fisq]. So the consequence of someone who habitually omits the sunnahs associated with the five daily prayers -including witr- is that this is their ruling. Among other things, it is not permissible to pray behind such a person.

[Source: Nail al-ma'arib, 2.476; Hashiyat al-lubadi, p468]

May Allah inspire us to sincerely repent, and may He replace our blameworthy traits with praiseworthy.

And Allah knows best.

Wa al-salamu `alaykum,
--Musa